July 2026
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What we give – our compassion, our generosity, our commitment – creates ripples that reach far beyond what we can see. This month’s stories bring those ripples to life in powerful and deeply personal ways Meet Teresa Bowman, a nurse whose unwavering dedication continues to inspire and shape future generators of caregivers. Experience the journey of a grateful patient whose life was extended through research, opening the door to more precious moments with family. And see how partnership across our community turns generosity into lifesaving care every single day. Each story is a testament to the enduring impact of giving and to the extraordinary difference made possible because of you. Thank you for being at the heart of this work. Jared A. Langkilde, MBA, CFRE |
Dear friends,
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A legacy that lives on For Sid Bowman, honoring his late wife Teresa meant ensuring that the calling she loved so deeply would continue to touch others. Teresa served as an ICU nurse at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea and Thompson Peak Medical Centers, where she was known for her compassion, strength and unwavering commitment to her patients. Nursing wasn’t simply what she did – it was who she was, and among those who influenced Teresa’s love for the profession was Michele Fiore, HonorHealth senior clinical director of critical care and someone Teresa considered a motherly figure. When Teresa learned she was nearing the end of her life, one realization weighed especially heavily: that she would no longer be able to care for patients. Through a meaningful gift in Teresa’s memory, Sid is helping to ensure her passion doesn’t end there. He directed his support to HonorHealth Foundation’s Nursing Excellence Fund, which invests in the growth and development of nurses across HonorHealth. “I give so her love for nursing education doesn’t end with her,” Sid shares. “I want her heart for patients and her passion for excellence to live on in the nurses who continue the work she cared about so deeply.” That legacy is already taking shape in nurses like Chastine Elam, a trauma nurse at HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center. With support from the Nursing Excellence Fund, Chastine attended a national nursing conference that expanded her perspective and strengthened her leadership. “That experience made me realize nursing is so much bigger than the bedside,” she says. “What we do has purpose beyond the moment.” She returned to her unit with renewed confidence – sharing knowledge, elevating care and guiding patients through some of their most difficult moments. It’s a reflection of the very spirit Teresa brought to her work every day. Today, through Sid’s tribute, Teresa’s legacy lives on – in the growth of nurses, in the strength of care teams and in every patient who benefits from their compassion, skill and dedication. Learn more about the Nursing Excellence Fund |
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When courage leads to progress: HonorHealth Research Institute patient is happy she gave treatment another try After surgery and initial rounds of chemotherapy that followed her first diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 2023, Pamela felt great. She diligently took her medications and showed up for regular blood tests and scans. With a mobile chemo pack, she even continued working at her high-stress job, handling million-dollar agreements as a customer service representative for an international pool equipment company. But two years later when her cancer returned and spread to her liver, Pamela was hesitant to go through more chemotherapy. “I was very adamant,” she says. After reviewing her options with Rizwan Khawaja, MD, MPH, Associate Clinical Investigator for Novel Cancer Therapies in the Oncology Research Division at HonorHealth Research Institute, she decided to try again. “If it works, okay,” she thought. “If it doesn’t, I’ve got all my affairs in order.” Pamela began a new clinical trial in August 2025, and less than a month later — to her surprise and delight — the results of her first scan revealed her tumor had shrunk 30 percent. Her tumor has since shrunk another two percent and Pamela, now 62, is enthusiastic about the future. She spent her most recent birthday in Jamaica, retired from her job and is planning trips to see her children and grandchildren — and to attend a big family reunion. “I’m living life the best I can,” she says. As for HonorHealth, Pamela says “There’s not enough time in the day,” to sing the Research Institute’s praises. “HonorHealth has top-tier amazing people. The bedside manners, the treatment, the listening, the empathy — I don’t know what it is in reference to HonorHealth when they hire. Everyone that I’ve encountered is amazing. They’re very friendly. It makes you feel good. You’re welcomed with a smile. No one shuns you off. They ask you how you feel, and they listen.” Pamela can name nearly a dozen doctors and nurses she has encountered, not to mention Dr. Khawaja and the Institute volunteers. “Everybody’s great,” she says. “The whole team is just amazing!” Learn more about the HonorHealth Research Institute
When a community says yes: A story of lives saved Every day at HonorHealth, lives are saved because people choose to give. Some give blood – quietly, selflessly, often without ever knowing the person they’ve helped. Others give philanthropically – ensuring the technology, care teams and programs are ready when patients arrive in moments of greatest need. Many give in both ways. What connects them is a shared belief: Their community is worth showing up for. For more than 10 years, Vitalant has been a committed partner in that story, connecting generous blood donors with patients across HonorHealth. Each donation represents another chance at life. And it’s there at the bedside when it matters most – supporting surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment and countless critical moments in between. Philanthropy is part of this same continuum of care. While blood donors sustain life in urgent moments, philanthropic support ensures the environment, tools and expertise are in place to make those moments successful. Together, these forms of generosity are deeply connected expressions of care, each essential to what happens inside our hospitals every day. Vitalant brings forward the generosity of donors; HonorHealth transforms that generosity into healing. Both are a powerful reflection of what’s possible when people, purpose and care come together. Find a Vitalant location near you and make a gift of blood today!
HonorHealth Foundation Annual Report – Coming soon! Be on the lookout for HonorHealth Foundation’s 2025 Annual Report, soon to be delivered to you. This year’s theme, Honor in Action, highlights the meaningful ways your generosity is making a difference – advancing care, supporting our teams and impacting lives across our community. We’re proud to share the stories of what you’ve made possible.
Save the date for the NICU Tea and Luncheon Mark your calendar for the 9th Annual NICU Tea and Luncheon, benefitting the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. NICU Tea and Luncheon Additional information and sponsorship details coming soon!
Save the date for the Desert Mission Morning of Gold Join us Friday, November 13, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort for an inspiring morning of connection and impact where your support fuels HonorHealth Desert Mission’s life-changing community programs. Desert Mission Morning of Gold Additional information and sponsorship details coming soon!
Save the date for the Honor Ball – 50th Anniversary Event With its rich history and 50-year legacy of exceptional philanthropy, the Honor Ball is one of the Valley’s most anticipated galas. Our guests have come to love the Honor Ball’s cocktail reception, dinner and dancing. Please mark your calendar for an evening to remember! Honor Ball – 50th Anniversary Event Additional information coming soon! |
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